Originally Posted by: Kurgan1536Thank you so much, Christopher. I understand what you mean ... [/quote]
Welcome, of course. I am glad you understand! :)

Originally Posted by: Kurgan1536
My biggest issue at this point is recognizing the notes of the chords being played while soloing.[/quote]
That's the sort of thing that you have to really think hard about for a while. And then after you practice it and do it for a while it gradually becomes second nature. Even after you can do it well it's always a good idea to step back and reassess.

I can already play over any ii-V-I in a hundred different ways. But, I am always trying to think of one more new way to do it. Listening to better players is one way to do it. Just really thinking about all the possibilities is another. Sometimes I will just play inversions of a chord progression all the way up the neck on just 3 strings. That can sometimes help me to visualize all the possible chord tones. Then I can try to think of new licks and lines using various scales and modes to connect those patterns.

I really should get around to pulling together a couple of tutorials on this stuff, huh? :p
[QUOTE=Kurgan1536]
I was running through another lesson (Nick Marchant's Spanish Style - http://guitartricks.com/lesson.php?input=9939&s_id=212 ) and he talks about using strong notes to rest on.

Good stuff there! Yeah, he is right on it about using chord tones. It's also a good idea to use the idea of strong beats. Put the chord tones on the 1 and 3, or all the downbeats; put the passing tones (the notes of the scale in between the current chord tones) on the weak beats 2 and 4, or all the upbeats.
[QUOTE=Kurgan1536] So far, I've mainly just been noodling, and need to come up with more substance in my solos.

Noodling is not bad per se. It's a great way to try out new ideas; see what works and what doesn't. The trick is to accomplish something with your noodling. Make sure that you've learned or made up a new lick to use; a new "tool" for your bag. Or at the very least make sure you've learned one more thing not to do. Trying to find good licks can be like digging for gold: tons of dirt and rocks, very few precious nuggets. I typically find lots of things not to do when noodling. The trick is to only play the good licks and leave the others in the trash can of the woodshed. :D

In a general sense, substance in a solo is best achieved by playing a melody or a melodic idea, then embellishing it with scales and arpeggios, then return to the melodic idea.

I wish you success with it. Let us know how it goes.